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Apr 25, 2011
Housing link to low fertility rate
AS SOMEONE queueing for new HDB flats or waiting for flats to be completed, I disagree with National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan ("WP's proposals dangerous: Mah"; last Thursday).
A typical new HDB four-room flat costs between $300,000 and $450,000 with a payable loan of 30 years. This means a newly married couple who apply for an HDB flat is tied to a 30-year loan even before they can think about starting a family.
This is a very huge expense and the National Development Ministry can help to reduce this essential "start-up cost" for those who want to start a family.
Besides the earlier shortage of HDB flats, this could be one of the causes of Singapore's low fertility rate.
HDB has deviated from its role of providing affordable and quality homes.
Chia Choon Leng
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_660695.html
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